SOLIDWORKS Toolbox includes a library of standard components (parts) that users can insert into their assemblies. Enterprise PDM can manage Toolbox so that all data management operations are performed automatically. Enterprise PDM manages both the part files and the Toolbox folder.
Once configured, users point SOLIDWORKS to the Toolbox vault folder and use Toolbox as before. Enterprise PDM automatically:
- Checks Toolbox parts out and in as needed so the latest versions are used
- Adds missing Toolbox parts to the vault
- Redirects assembly references to Toolbox parts in the vault
- Supports the use of the Toolbox Create parts option to create new parts in the vault
- If you have replication set up, replicates the Toolbox files and database
You must create a replication schema for the Toolbox root folder in the vault. For details on setting up replication, see the SOLIDWORKS Enterprise PDM Replication Guide.
There are two methods to manage Toolbox in Enterprise PDM:
- Complete Toolbox integration
With complete Toolbox integration, the entire Toolbox data set, typically found under the SOLIDWORKS Data folder, is placed in the Enterprise PDM vault and managed there.
The complete method is available in SOLIDWORKS and Enterprise PDM 2010 and later.
- Partial Toolbox integration
With partial Toolbox integration, only the Toolbox files that are referenced by assemblies in the Enterprise PDM vault are managed in the vault. The Toolbox folder and the source part files are stored outside the vault.
Prior to SOLIDWORKS and Enterprise PDM 2010, only the partial method was available.
Versions of SOLIDWORKS and Enterprise PDM 2010 or later still support partial Toolbox integration. However, it is recommended that you use complete integration.